How Can A Sinus Infection Affect Your Ears
Most sinusitis-related ear problems, including tinnitus, are caused by the congestion that occurs during a sinus infection. To better understand this phenomenon, lets take a second to review a few facts about sinusitis.
Sinusitis most frequently occurs when a virus or bacteria irritates the tissues of your sinus cavities. This irritation can lead to swelling which, in turn, can lead to mucus buildup and congestion.
Your sinus cavities and ears are interconnected systems, so congestion in the sinuses can create ear congestion, as well. Congestion in the ear may block the tube known as the Eustachian Tube that connects the middle ear to the outer ear and helps regulate pressure within the ear. When the Eustachian Tube is blocked, the pressure is allowed to build up around the eardrum, which is ultimately what causes ringing in the ears, aka tinnitus.
Whether you have an acute sinus infection or a sinus infection that wont go away, so long as the congestion is severe enough, it can cause tinnitus.
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Obstructions In The Middle Ear
Blockages in the ear canal can cause pressure to build up in the inner ear, affecting the operation of the ear drum. Moreover, objects directly touching the ear drum can irritate the organ and cause the perception of tinnitus symptoms. Common obstructions include:
- Excessive ear wax
- Loose hair from the ear canal
- Dirt or foreign objects
In many cases, the removal of the blockage will alleviate tinnitus symptoms. However, in some situations, the blockage may have caused permanent damage that leads to chronic tinnitus.
It Seems That The Combination Of Tinnitus And Postural Instability Begins As A Cervical Pain Syndrome
In January 2021, publishing in The International Tinnitus Journal, Henk M Koning, MD, Ph.D., also noted that:
In patients with tinnitus as the main complaint, 64% of the patients have also cervical pain, and in patients with cervical pain as the main complaint, 44% of the patients have tinnitus. Both groups of patients have in common a high prevalence of postural instability and dizziness, degeneration of the intervertebral disc between the fifth and seventh cervical vertebrae, and a large anterior spur in front of the fifth cervical vertebrae. Patients with cervical pain as the main complaint have more degeneration of the intervertebral disc between the third and fourth cervical vertebrae, a larger anterior spur in front of the third cervical vertebrae, and more loss of cervical lordosis.
Postural instability is an important discriminant factor in patients with cervical pain and in patients with tinnitus as the main complaint. In patients with cervical pain postural instability was associated with the occurrence of tinnitus. In patients with tinnitus, there is evidence for two profiles of somatic tinnitus, discriminated by the occurrence of postural instability and low-frequency hearing loss. It seems that the combination of tinnitus and postural instability begins as a cervical pain syndrome and that the tinnitus aggravates in time. . .
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Evaluate And Treat Underlying Problems
If you develop tinnitus, it’s important to see your clinician. She or he will take a medical history, give you a physical examination, and do a series of tests to try to find the source of the problem. She or he will also ask you to describe the noise you’re hearing and the times and places in which you hear it. Your clinician will review your medical history, your current and past exposure to noise, and any medications or supplements you’re taking. Tinnitus can be a side effect of many medications, especially when taken at higher doses .
Musculoskeletal factors jaw clenching, tooth grinding, prior injury, or muscle tension in the neck sometimes make tinnitus more noticeable, so your clinician may ask you to tighten muscles or move the jaw or neck in certain ways to see if the sound changes. If tight muscles are part of the problem, massage therapy may help relieve it.
Tinnitus that’s continuous, steady, and high-pitched generally indicates a problem in the auditory system and requires hearing tests conducted by an audiologist. Pulsatile tinnitus calls for a medical evaluation, especially if the noise is frequent or constant. MRI or CT imaging may be needed to check for a tumor or blood vessel abnormality.
If you’re often exposed to loud noises at work or at home, it’s important to reduce the risk of hearing loss by using protectors such as earplugs or earmuff-like or custom-fitted devices.
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Subjective Tinnitus: Causes And Symptoms
Subjective tinnitus is the far more common type of tinnitus, accounting for approximately 99% of tinnitus experiences. It can only be heard by the person who experiences it, and the ringing sound may be perceived in one or both ears.
Subjective tinnitus can have several causes. Acute tinnitus may be triggered temporarily by hearing a sudden loud noise. More persistent tinnitus can be the result of aging, hearing loss, or dieases such as Meniere’s Disease. Other hearing-related health concerns or head injuries may also cause tinnitus.
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If Hearing Loss Isnt From An Infection
If your child has sudden hearing loss but no signs of a middle ear or respiratory infection, be sure to check out our page on hearing loss in children. Acting quickly is important because children with hearing loss can have delayed language and speech development. Our directory can also help you find audiologists near you.
Other Diseases & Medical Conditions
- Tinnitus is a reported symptom of the following medical conditions:
- Metabolic Disorders: Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism, Anemia
- Autoimmune Disorders: Lyme Disease, Fibromyalgia
- Blood Vessel Disorders: High Blood Pressure, Atherosclerosis
- Psychiatric Disorders: Depression, Anxiety, Stress
- Vestibular Disorders: Ménière’s Disease,Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Otosclerosis
- Tumor-Related Disorders : Acoustic Neuroma, Vestibular Schwannoma, other tumorous growths
Again, a person experiencing tinnitus should not assume that he/she has one of the medical conditions listed above. Only a trained healthcare provider can appropriately diagnose the underlying cause of tinnitus.
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Sinus Pressure And Barometric Trauma
Nasal congestion from a severe cold, flu, or sinus infection can create abnormal pressure in the middle ear, impacting normal hearing and causing tinnitus symptoms.
Acute barotrauma, caused by extreme or rapid changes in air or water pressure, can also damage the middle and inner ear. Potential sources of barotrauma include:
- Diving / Snorkeling / Scuba
- Flying
- Concussive explosive blasts
Questions For Your Doctor
- The noise in my ears makes it hard for me to sleep. What can I do?
- Is there something causing my tinnitus that we could treat?
- Will I lose my hearing?
- I also get dizzy a lot. Could I have Menieres disease?
- Could this be caused by an ear infection?
- Should I avoid listening to music on headphones?
- Is there anything I can do at home to help?
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How Does It Affect People
Even though only a small minority of people experience severe tinnitus, the condition still has a serious impact on the quality of life of many. Tinnitus is not a psychological illness, but it can cause psychological distress. Little understanding by others of a condition that is not visible can increase a persons isolation. Coping with the noises can be debilitating, leading to anxiety and depression, loss of interest in work, leisure activities, and relationships. Sleep may be disturbed, and concentration affected. If there is also a hearing impairment, additional stresses may occur. The early stages of the condition can be especially distressing, when many find it difficult to ignore the noises, and the person affected will require help and support at this time. However, the fact is that with time, the great majority of people do learn to live with tinnitus, and have a good quality of life in spite of it.
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Ear Strain And Sinus Infections
From sore throats to stuffy noses, sinus infections bring about lots of unwelcome symptoms.
Headaches, sinus pressure, and pressure in the ears are common symptoms of a sinus infection. A ringing, clicking, or buzzing can be the outcome.
Nasal congestion frequently spreads to the ears during a sinus infection. This can produce accumulated earwax, which causes clogged ears and extreme pressure on the eardrums. Pressure on the little bones of the inner ear can trigger tinnitus symptoms.
You might not need to go to a hearing professional if the ringing is the result of a sinus infection, as the symptoms could improve on their own. If the ringing continues for more than a few days, however, you should schedule an appointment with a hearing professional.
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Laterality And Severity Seem To Correlate
Another study sought to further understand the relationship between migraine and tinnitus by looking at nearly 200 participants with tinnitus and migraines. The researchers found a significant association between tinnitus and headache laterality, meaning that a person with tinnitus in the right ear tended to also have their head pain on the right side, and the same went for the left side.
In addition, the severity of tinnitus and headache coincided in nearly half of the participants. So when their head pain became more severe, their tinnitus did too, and vice versa.
Central sensitization may explain the tinnitus-migraine link. Central sensitization occurs when your brain and spinal cord develop a heightened sensitivity to both things that should hurt, like a needle prick, and things that shouldnât hurt, like a regular touch.
Heart And Blood Vessel Problems
If your tinnitus resembles a pumping, beating or pulsating sound, it could be caused by damage to your blood vessels. This is known as pulsatile tinnitus. Some common underlying cardiac causes of tinnitus include high blood pressure, turbulent blood flow, heart disease, and malformations of the small arteries. Seek prompt medical care if you hear pulsing sounds.
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How Many Suffer From Tinnitus
Nobody knows how many suffer from tinnitus. Almost all of us experience tinnitus temporarily perhaps for a few hours after a concert or any other occasion where our ears are subjected to noise. But for some, tinnitus becomes persistent and/or increases. The majority of people who suffer from tinnitus find it very disturbing and uncomfortable.
According to ATA, The American Tinnitus Association, 45 million Americans are struggling with tinnitus. In Germany, the Deutsche Tinnitus-Liga estimates that 19 million Germans have experienced tinnitus and that 2.7 million Germans have persistent tinnitus, of which 1 million have very severe tinnitus. The British Tinnitus Association estimates that 10% of the UK population suffer from tinnitus. Read more about the prevalence of tinnitus.
What Are The Symptoms Of Tinnitus
Tinnitus symptoms are sounds in your head that is not related to any external sounds. Tinnitus can sound in many ways. Tinnitus is also often called ringing in the ears as tinnitus is often described as a constant ringing in the ears. But besides ringing it can be a buzzing, hissing, humming or whistling in your ear or other sounds. It can also sound a thumping in the same rhythm as a heartbeat, called pulsatile tinnitus.
Listen to what tinnitus sounds like.
If you experience tinnitus, you might also have a hearing loss. So, if you have tinnitus, we recommend that you get your hearing checked by a hearing professional.
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How Serious Is Pulsatile Tinnitus
Pulsatile tinnitus is a common symptom that impacts between 3-5 million americans. While the potential underlying diseases are many, only some cary significant risks of intracranial hemorrhage, stroke, or blindness. Therefore, evaluation by a specialists with high levels of experience is recommended. In addition, many patients suffer from their pulsatile tinnitus, and in our experience there I usually an underlying structural cause that may be possible to correct and alleviate symptoms.
Tinnitus Causes Next Steps
Remember that if you experience tinnitus, consult with your physician to rule out any medical cause. An audiologist can evaluate your hearing to determine if hearing loss exists. Your provider can assist you in treatment of the symptoms you experience. If youre a hearing aid candidate, there are many options available to help treat tinnitus as well as hearing loss. If youre interested in learning more about todays latest hearing aid technology, go to and check out all the videos on our YouTube channel.
-Dr. Derek
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Common Constant Treatable And Manageable
Tinnitus sounds different to everyone, so it makes sense that there are four different types: subjective, objective, neurological, and somatic.
Tinnitus is a fairly common medical malady that presents in a variety of ways. Simply defined, it is a phantom ringing, whooshing, or buzzing noise in your ear that only you can hear.
Constant Noise In The Head Such As Ringing In The Earsrarely Indicates A Serious Health Problem But It Sure Can Be Annoying Here’s How To Minimize It
Tinnitus is sound in the head with no external source. For many, it’s a ringing sound, while for others, it’s whistling, buzzing, chirping, hissing, humming, roaring, or even shrieking. The sound may seem to come from one ear or both, from inside the head, or from a distance. It may be constant or intermittent, steady or pulsating.
Almost everyone has had tinnitus for a short time after being exposed to extremely loud noise. For example, attending a loud concert can trigger short-lived tinnitus. Some medications can cause tinnitus that goes away when the drug is discontinued. When it lasts more than six months, it’s known as chronic tinnitus. As many as 50 to 60 million people in the United States suffer from this condition it’s especially common in people over age 55 and strongly associated with hearing loss. Many people worry that tinnitus is a sign that they are going deaf or have another serious medical problem, but it rarely is.
The course of chronic tinnitus is unpredictable. Sometimes the symptoms remain the same, and sometimes they get worse. In about 10% of cases, the condition interferes with everyday life so much that professional help is needed.
While there’s no cure for chronic tinnitus, it often becomes less noticeable and more manageable over time. You can help ease the symptoms by educating yourself about the condition for example, understanding that it’s not dangerous. There are also several ways to help tune out the noise and minimize its impact.
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How To Treat Tinnitus After Tbi
Tinnitus after head injury can be difficult to treat, and most cases are addressed by exploring the root cause. For example, with tinnitus caused by ossicular chain disruption, surgery may be needed. However, this is a highly invasive procedure therefore an accurate diagnosis and consultation with an auditory specialist is required.
When tinnitus is caused by changes in the way the brain processes sound, it can be more challenging to treat. Fortunately, there are many ways to manage the symptoms and reduce tinnitus.
One popular technique to help manage tinnitus is known as masking which involves wearing a small device that resembles a hearing aid. This device produces customized sounds that drown out the constant fuzz or the ringing noise from tinnitus.
Masking may help engage neuroplasticity and retrain the brain to tune out repetitive or unfamiliar sounds. While this technique can be efficient some survivors may require the use of a mask for long periods of time.
You can also use standard masking sounds such as music, nature sounds, white noise from a fan, or headphones to help manage tinnitus. While there is no one-size-fits-all cure, there are various sound therapy techniques you can try.
The Four Different Types Of Tinnitus:
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Obstructions In The Ear
Things that block the eardrum from working properly and place pressure on the middle ear can also cause tinnitus symptoms. This could be excess earwax, hair, dirt and congestion from a cold or infection. Keeping your ears clean and healthy is the first line of defense against this cause of tinnitus.
Central Sensitization In Migraines And Tinnitus
In migraines, scientists believe that pain fibers that originate from the trigeminal nerve, which is the largest cranial nerve, release inflammatory peptides like substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide . These peptides could cause the throbbing pain associated with a migraine.
After repeated migraine attacks, central sensitization may occur, which could be the trigger for the development of tinnitus. On the other hand, it could be that tinnitus in one ear sensitizes the trigeminal nerve system, resulting in migraines on that same side of the head.
Itâs hard to know for sure at this point, although research shows that headaches tend to precede tinnitus, so the first theory may be more plausible. Or there could be a totally different factor that we donât know about yet thatâs triggering both the migraines and tinnitus.
All in all, experts arenât sure yet why thereâs a connection between migraine and tinnitus. Regardless, research suggests the combined occurrence of head pain and ear ringing likely has a biological basis. In other words, itâs not just a coincidence.
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